124 VENOUS ABSORPTION. 



called, exist in every portion of the body ; like the veins% 

 they diminish in number as they increase in size, while 

 pursuing their course towards the veins of the arms into 

 which they pour their contents. In their course they 

 frequently traverse the lymphatic glands, which are to 

 these vessels what the mesenteric glands are to the lac- 

 teals. They are situated chiefly in the groin, arm-pits, 

 and neck, in which latter place they are frequently 

 swollen in consequence of cold. 



Emily. What is the nature of the fluids contained 

 in the lymphatic vessels ? I suppose however, since 

 they are the general reservoir of all the waste and use- 

 less portions of the body, that their contents are of rather 

 a heterogeneous character. But I am surprised that 

 they should be poured into the mass of blood, since be- 

 ing entirely useless, I should suppose they would find 

 their way out of the system by some other channel. 



fir. B. The fluid in the lymphatic vessels is called 

 lymph ;. it is of a whitish colour, slightly saline in taste, 

 and instead of being composed of very heterogeneous 

 materials, is exceedingly simple in its composition. 

 These and many other facts lately led physiologists to 

 the conclusion, that these vessels could not be the sole 

 agents of absorption, as was generally supposed after 

 they were discovered. The suggestion was often made 

 that the veins had some share in this function, but it was 

 never satisfactorily demonstrated to be so, till Majendie, 

 a few years ago, published the results of his interesting 

 experiments. 



Emily.-r^&o, Dr. B., relate some of them, for I am 

 desirous to know on what reasons the lymphatics have 

 been excluded from the absorbent function, and on what 

 ground rests the doctrine of venous absorption, as Ma- 

 jendie's must be called. 



2) r> J5. One or two of the most striking I will re- 

 late. Majendie having opened the body of a dog, put 

 two ligatures around a portion of the intestinal canal at 

 a. short distance from one another, thus insulating it com- 



